Transcendental Meditation

To transcend, by definition, means to go beyond human limitations and to break boundaries. At Maharishi School, we teach you a technique to break internal boundaries and to sink deep into yourself, to tap into your essence and live in a state of flow. Here, we believe that all parts of ourselves should be developed – the body, mind, heart and consciousness, and therefore the practice of TM® is required for all students. Our school day starts and ends with a few minutes of the Transcendental Meditation® (TM) technique.

TM® is a simple technique that is easily taught through one-on-one instruction by a certified teacher. It’s not a religion, philosophy or lifestyle. More than 340 scientific studies have been published in leading journals showing its efficacy in all areas of physical and mental health. It’s garnered the praise of distinguished institutions like the National Health Institute, American Psychological Association, University of Michigan, and American University.

FAQ’s

What is the Transcendental Meditation technique?

It is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced up to 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. Our students practice it for 10-15 minutes twice each day. It’s not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle. More than six million people worldwide have learned the TM technique — people of all ages, cultures, and religions. To learn more, visit www.TM.org.

What happens when you meditate?

The Transcendental Meditation® technique effortlessly allows your mind to settle inward beyond thought to experience the source of thought — pure awareness, also known as transcendental consciousness. This experience—termed “restful alertness”—has been identified by researchers as a fourth state of consciousness that is distinct from the waking, sleeping, and dreaming states. This fourth state of consciousness, in which the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the most silent form of human awareness, is known as Transcendental Consciousness.

How do you meditate?

It is practiced for twenty minutes twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. The technique needs to be learned from a certified Transcendental Meditation teacher. Maharishi School students receive TM instruction shortly after their arrival.
At Maharishi School, additional time is structured for simple yoga postures (yoga asanas) and an easy-to-learn breathing technique (pranayama) for balancing body and mind.

How much research has been done on Transcendental Meditation?

Over 250 research studies have been conducted at more than 200 universities and research centers (including Harvard, UCLA, and Stanford). These studies have been published in more than 100 journals. Find 258 of the studies here.

Where did the TM technique come from?

The Transcendental Meditation® technique is based on the ancient Vedic tradition of India. This knowledge has been handed down by Vedic masters from generation to generation for thousands of years. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced it to the world in 1959.

How is the TM technique different from other forms of meditation?

Brain science shows us that there are three basic types of meditation:

Focused attention – this is where you focus on an object like a candle flame or on a thought

Open monitoring – this is where a practitioner would observe their breath, thought, or their surroundings

Automatic self-transcending – this is the spontaneous experience of quieter levels of thought – many call this the state of flow.

The Transcendental Meditation® technique involves zero focus and no open monitoring. It’s a simple process that allows the student to transcend the normal waking state without any effort and to sink into deeper levels of their being.

A meta-analysis of 597 studies covering most meditation and relaxation techniques was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion. The study found the TM technique to have markedly better results in a wide range of criteria related to cognitive function, self-actualization (growth toward one’s potential), and mental and physical health.

What if I practice another form of meditation?

Your interest in developing your full potential through meditation is to be commended.
Research studies have found that the Transcendental Meditation® technique produces the transcending experience — a unique state of restful alertness. This experience is the foundation of Consciousness-Based education and the vehicle for our students’ growth in consciousness.

To avoid the risk of mixing procedures — which could compromise the naturalness and effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation® technique — we ask that all students practice only this meditation procedure.

Our Admissions counselors would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Are there scholarships to cover the cost of learning TM?

Yes. The David Lynch Foundation provides all new students at Maharishi School with a scholarship covering the full tuition for the TM course.

What is the TM-Sidhi program?

The Transcendental Meditation® technique allows your mind to settle down to the source of thought and experience pure consciousness — a state of restful alertness. The Transcendental Meditation-Sidhi® (TM-Sidhi) program trains you to think and act from this most silent and powerful level of the mind.

Scientific research studies have shown that the TM-Sidhi® program accelerates the personal growth that comes with the Transcendental Meditation® technique by itself — faster growth of creativity, learning ability, physical health and psychological well-being.